Restoration of Regenerative Ecosystems (RESTORE) western Uganda project

Restoration of Regenerative Ecosystems (RESTORE) project is a life changing project aimed at addressing long term climate change causes and effects through bamboo growing in areas affected by flooding and landslides. The project will establish two community managed nursery beds generating bamboo and other seedlings for community access in western Uganda Bundibugyo district. The project will be implemented in 10 sub counties of Bukonzo, Bundingoma, Busaru, Harugale, Itojo, Kirumya, Mirambi, Ndugutu, Tokwe and Sindila sub county where the state of collapsing environment and ecological ecosystem.

Project Background

Bundibugyo district is situated on the extreme Western arch of Uganda neighboring the Democratic Republic of Congo. The district is comprised of multiple ethnic groups mainly engaged in economic activities such as subsistence farming, trade and commerce, charcoal burning and selling as a their main source of livelihoods. These activities are carried out on the slopes or and part of Mountain Rwenzori, catchment areas surrounding rivers water bodies and water sources increasing the degradation and depletion risk of natural and environmental resources. The project is intended to address critical climate issues that affect environmental peace, gender and access to food and nutrition needs at household and community levels. Women and girls will champion the process.  

PEACE Foundation Bundibugyo is a grass root indigenous community based not for profit humanitarian and development organization, promoting permaculture, addressing and responding to food insecurity, hunger and malnutrition. PEACE Foundation will implement this responsibility to implement this project.

Expected Outcome and Impact

·       Increased awareness, knowledge and confidence among women and girls, women led community groups, local leaders, citizens and intuitions stimulating mindset change for restoration and regenerative permaculture practices through bamboo growing.

·       Bamboo growing/farming for environmental, social and economic benefits among women and men, girls and boys.

·       Quality of natural resources and ecosystems functionality improved.

·       Communities in areas outside the project area adopts and undertakes practices and approaches being promoted by the project.

The goal of this project is "to contribute to improved natural resources and sustainable ecosystems for improved livelihoods in Bundibugyo district and surrounding communities through Bamboo growing for sustainable management of natural resources, sustainable livelihoods and information sharing on value chain development".

Project objectives                                                                 

Activities

Objective 1: 5208 households and 14 schools in Bundibugyo and Ntoroko districts effectively manage their environment and conserve natural resources by December 2026.

Output 1.1: Cooperation with 10 schools on Sustainable Land Use Management (SLM) practices that mitigate land degradation and facilitate households adapt to climate change established

Activity 1.1.1: Conduct 3 CPFs learning/exposure visits

3 exposure visits will be conducted in the three years. The sites will be decided depending on the scheduling of the activity. The activity aims at enabling 14 Community Permaculture Facilitators (CPFs) get exposure on environmental resource management and conservation practices increased and improve their knowledge, skills and capacity.

Activity 1.1.2: Procure and disseminate assorted IEC materials on permaculture, Eco literacy, Agroforestry and environmental conservation and management

The IEC materials will be for use by the CPFs during community sensitizations and dialogue meetings. PEACE Foundation will develop tailored communication materials for use by the 14 school environment clubs.

Activity 1.1.3: Produce a 45 minute documentary on sustainable environmental protection practices

A short film/documentary will be made, to highlight project achievements, raise awareness of the problems, and how the project is contributing to reducing them. The completed documentary will also be posted on the PEACE Foundation website and other online/social media platforms to increase accessibility and in recognition of World Environment Day.

 Activity 1.1.4: Commemoration of World Environment day

World Environment Day is an annual event, held on 5th June, which encourages worldwide awareness on environmental issues. PEACE Foundation staff, executive committee and other members will liaise with Sub County authorities to select a venue to focus activities in. The school environment Clubs will be invited to bring a stall to the venue to exhibit their activities. Tree planting activities will take place, drawing attention to the central tree nursery will be established   and to general environmental management. This activity will contribute to creating a common culture of understanding of natural resource management, both among local authorities and communities.

 Activity 1.1.5: Train project staff and stakeholders in natural resource management and conservation.

This three-day training for project staff will be conducted by PEACE Foundation specialist or an external facilitator on natural resource management competent service provider. Topics covered will include; Ecosystems functionality, Soil and water conservation, land use practices, composting, organic pesticide making, impacts of climate change, benefits of increasing tree cover and variety, energy cycles etc.  

Activity 1.1.6: Train 14 farmer groups in agroforestry, natural resource conservation and management

 14 trainings at group level for 3days each training, will be conducted (1 per group) by Project staff and CPFs, in natural resource management, with practical demonstrations. This activity is aimed at increasing awareness of natural resource management, giving communities the skills to change their behavior regarding environmental protection and management. Regular follow-ups will be conducted to ensure knowledge results in behavior change.

Activity 1.1.7: Wages for casual workers at tree nursery/demo sites

PEACE Foundation will facilitate casual workers for their labor with a minimum wage allowable to enable them effectively takes care of the nursery site. The Foundation will provide other resources and inputs as well as meet wages for 4 full time casual workers attached to the site.  

Activity 1.1.8: Support establishment and subsequent activities of 10 school environment clubs

14 schools will participate in the project. The schools will be identified based on their relevance to the project target and objectives and thus, teachers will be the entry points to the Environment clubs, and will supervise and provide skills and knowledge to the club members who will be graduated into permaculture champions.

Activity 1.1.9: Train teachers in basic permaculture, Eco literacy skills, tree planting techniques, composting and soil & water conservation

A 3-day training will be held for the 28 teachers (2 teachers per school) in permaculture basics, eco-literacy, compost making, soil and water conservation and tree planting techniques (nursery bed management). 

Activity 1.1.10: Procure and install 35 bee hives for teaching and learning on bee rearing (apiary) and value chain technology development

Bee rearing/keeping is one of the environmentally friendly initiatives foster ecosystems and biodiversity restoration. Bees are agents of pollination to crops thus increase crop performances and yields. Bee rearing is a source of income, medicine and nutrition elements.

Output 1.2: Introduction to energy saving stoves, Improved knowledge on the benefits of energy efficient stoves and cooking methods

Activity 1.2.1: Train PEACE Foundation project staff/team and CPFs in energy saving stoves, energy saving cooking practices, hygiene and nutrition

This three-day training will be conducted by PEACE Foundation specialist.  Project staff will be trained on Rocket Lorena Stoves (RLS) construction.

Activity 1.2.2: Conduct community sensitizations on energy saving stoves

Community sensitizations will be conducted at sub county level targeting 1500 persons per Sub County per year to raise awareness on energy efficient cooking practices and RLS usage. The activity will always be conducted at sub county level with cultural music, dance and drama to attract more people after which environmental awareness will follow.

Activity 1.2.3: Conduct 1 exposure visit for Project staff/team, CPFs

1 exposure visit will be organized for PEACE Foundation staff. Following their training, project staff will conduct an exposure visit to projects across Uganda implementing similar activities to learn from best practices, etc. The exact place will not be specified at this point as project staff will assess the most suitable place closer to the visit date). On returning, PEACE Foundation project staff/team will be required to share knowledge among the communities.

Output 1.3: Establishment and maintenance of tree nurseries-Farmer based learning sites established and functional

Activity 1.3.1: Establish and maintain one central nursery for generation and supply of tree seedlings for public planting

1 Central tree nursery will be established in the project area. This nursery will act as a site for planting seeds, and growing seedlings which will eventually be distributed to communities/delivered to the communities and areas identified for planting in other sub counties/district.

Activity 1.3.2: Support school environment/permaculture clubs to establish and maintain demonstration sites in 10 schools 

Demonstration plots act as training spaces for both children in 10 schools and community farmers. Community members can visit the demonstration sites to learn best practices to replicate.

 Activity 1.3.3: Provide monthly incentives to 14 Community Permaculture Facilitators

The Community Permaculture Facilitators (CPFs) will be facilitated per monthly for the service rendered to the community.

Activity 1.3.4: Procure and install 2 motorized briquette machines with working space

Briquettes are an energy saving alternative. The system uses dry agricultural and forest waste such as banana dry leaves, dry grass, waste from beans stocks, maize stocks, maize cobs, cocoa husks, etc. which are locally available and accessible in communities on little or no cost.

Activity 1.3.5: Procure and maintain 1 tri-cycle for transportation and delivery of seedlings from the central tree nursery to distant project areas and communities facing depletion of natural resources

To sustain continued availability and access to tree seedlings, PEACE Foundation will regularly deliver seedlings to the communities where transportation is a requirement for planting. As such 1 tri-cycle will be procured and maintained for this purpose. The tri-cycle will further help in other permaculture activities by the project including transportation of seedlings (and seeds) activity 1.3.1, transportation of community compositing materials and other organic farming materials activity 2.1.2, transportation of agricultural waste for briquette production under activity 1.3.4 etc.

Objective 2: Improved agricultural production, productivity and quality in agroforestry cropping permaculture systems by December 2026

The food security component of this project recognizes that limited access is the primary constraint to food security in the targeted areas.  Intensive vegetable production and grain techniques and provision of vegetable and grain seeds and tools will enable beneficiaries to grow nutritious vegetables alongside their houses.

Output 2.1: Increased and diversified food production through awareness creation, provision of seeds and permaculture skills training

Activity 2.1.1: Train 28 TOTs in permaculture farming practices, horticultural and bee keeping, organic fertiliser and pesticide production

A 5 days training will be conducted for 28 participants identified from 14 groups practicing organic agriculture with the purpose of promoting the potential of organic agricultural systems and to build knowledge and skills from and within the groups.

Activity 2.1.2: Train and facilitate 14 farmer groups to undertake enhanced organic agriculture, organic pest production and management

In line with activity 2.1.1, 14 groups of 25-30 members will be supported with assorted tools and materials to enable them practice organic agriculture.

Activity 2.1.3: Train PEACE Foundation project staff/team and stakeholders in basic permaculture practices

A three (3) days training will be conducted among PEACE Foundation staff/team and stakeholders from the sub counties and district line departments.

Activity 2.1.4: Procure and distribute seed kits to 14 groups and 3 model farmers per sub county

Seeds will be procured from reliable seed source and supplier to ensure only quality seeds that are resilient and adaptive to the local conditions. 

Activity 2.1.5: Train 140 households in permaculture farming as a business/agri-entreprenuership

A three (3) days training will be conducted to train 140 households from 10 sub counties and 4 town councils in aspects of undertaking farming as a business using the agri-entreprenuership methodology.

Activity 2.1.6: Guide and support 14 groups to undertake appropriate post-harvest handling initiatives

The activity aims at facilitating 14 groups of 25-30 members will be trained for 3 days to undertake post-harvest handling technologies in their respective groups/sub counties. This activity will be conducted across the project period to ameliorate farmers yield and halt post-harvest losses.

Activity 2.1.7: Facilitate 2 farmer exchange visits to already established permaculture sites and organisations where similar or related farm based social enterprising is practiced.

2 farmer exchange visits will be organized each for one day for 14 apex cluster leaders to identified progressive agribusiness clusters. This will include bench marking on bamboo enterprises, bamboo value chain and extraction activities.  

Activity 2.1.8: Promote apiary enterprise among communities neighbouring natural resources, catchment areas and forest covers

The project will seek to promote bee keeping as agro forest and ecosystem based environmental enterprise.

Activity 2.1.9: Facilitate and support community environmental awareness sensitizations and dialogue meetings organised by PEACE Foundation

A community environmental awareness sensitization and dialogue meeting is an activity aimed at facilitating set change, stimulating reflection and action amongst the communities. PEACE Foundation will use its cultural art of music, drama and dance to mobilise and sensitize communities on critical environmental issues that needs action.

Objective 3: Local authorities and programs in the project area integrate environmental protection and climate change adaptation measures by December 2017.  

Output 3.1:  Increased awareness for roles commitment and greater involvement of the local government, Local Environment Committees and schools in the development and implementation of the Community Environment Action Plans and other restoration measures.

Activity 3.1.1: Conduct Annual Dstrict Environment and Ecological Symposium (ADEES) at district level.

This is an activity aimed at stimulating reflection, mobilizing effort and assembling tools and opportunities for climate and ecological peace and justice through stakeholders and partners discussion and knowledge sharing on the state of environment and ecological emergency and creating strategies with immediate and durable solutions and faciltating adoption of   innovative natural farming practices through permaculture.

Activity 3.1.2: Build capacity of Local Environment Committees at sub county and village councils on environmental policy guidelines, implementation and monitoring

Local Environment Committees (LECs) are government structures that are responsible for helping local authorities to write and enforce local bylaws regarding environmental management. LECs are supposed to assist communities to develop and implement natural resource management plans, and to organize public meetings to discuss local environmental concerns.

 Activity 3.1.3: Participate in District and Sub County level coordination and budgeting meetings

PEACE Foundation staff/management will, for the project period, participate in district and sub county coordination meetings. At community/village level, PEACE Foundation may be represented by its structures (Community Permaculture Facilitators) whose capacity will be built by the project in the first year of the project.

Activity 3.1.4: Print and disseminate environmental protection advocacy briefs to inform District/Sub County budgeting and planning

In line with activity 3.1.2, PEACE Foundation will undertake to print advocacy briefs to inform planning and budgeting for environmental management interventions. 

Activity 3.1.5: Support and facilitate school permaculture champions to conduct bi-monthly public environmental awareness through symposiums, public debates and public rallies.

The activity is intended to catalyse environmental and ecosystems ideological paradigm shift among leaders, authorities and the public to as it influence policy.

Activity 3.1.6: Support and facilitate school permaculture champions to conduct bi-monthly environmental awareness and accountability radio talk shows

The activity aims at reaching and fostering a broader audience and perspective on critical environmental social issues affecting communities. The activity builds from the previous activities and issues captured from project engagements and reported facts to synthesize and come up with the most critical issues for analysis and discussion.

Activity 4.1.1: Conduct 1 project inception workshop at District level for the project

This activity will bring on board key stakeholders to understand and appreciate the project intervention action(s) and the project end result and contribution being targeted. The project implementation cycle, plan modus operandi will be discussed. This activity will ensure the views of stakeholders are taken into account, that all parties are aware of the content and timing of their inputs to the project, and will ensure smooth and efficient implementation of activities.

Activity 4.1.2: Conduct 2 sub-county based project inception workshops each hosting participants from sub counties

This inception workshop will raise and deepen awareness of the project, local church leaders, CBO leaders and NGOs will also participate in the project inception workshop at this level.

 Activity 4.1.3: Conduct 1 project planning workshop for project staff, PEACE Foundation team and management

The activity will raise awareness and knowledge required for proper planning amongst Project staff, PEACE Foundation staff, entire team and management on the project deliverables (objectives, outputs, activities, strategy and funding availability) as well as reporting requirements.

Activity 4.1.4: Conduct project baseline survey

In the second month of project implementation, a participatory baseline survey will be conducted and facilitated by a specialist.

Activity 4.1.5: Conduct quarterly project performance review and planning meetings

This activity will review project activities, expenditure, accomplishments, constraints, and lessons learnt on a quarterly basis. Action Plans for subsequent quarters will be assessed and revised accordingly.

Activity 4.1.6: Conduct Annual reflection meeting

This is an activity to be conducted at the end of each financial year to reflect back on the course of implementation and digest new strategies to carry forward for the next course of implementation/actions.

Activity 4.1.7: Conduct End of Project Evaluation

This activity will evaluate project activities, expenditure, accomplishments, constraints, and lessons learnt over the project lifetime.